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Photos can always benefit from a little post processing. I have no idea what that stuff you mentioned is though. I'd bump the contrast w/o crushing the blacks. Try to bring out the beams a little more. Maybe warm it up as well.

Lukas

Camera: Anonymous
I could tell you but I wouldn't want you to get all pissy if it's the wrong brand

Yup. I wish the second one was in focus because I rubber banded the shutter button down and left it out so I got about 400 out of focus shots. Nice reflection of the Milky Way though.

Originally Posted by TheWengler

Tips for Phill...
-Make sure you know how to get your shot in focus. You can use AF on the moon then recompose. You can also use MF and live view on the stars.
-You'll need to monitor your SS to avoid star trails.
-Because you need to keep the SS relatively short for a long exposure you'll also need to shoot wide open and at a high ISO. The large aperture will give you some DOF problems that may affect your composition.
-A lot of people blend a longer exposure taken at a lower ISO for the land. This is a good way to get more details that would be ruined by a high ISO.
-Don't forget your noise reduction.

Hey! I know how to focus my fisheye...
Also:
- The 16mp Olympus sensors are way better then the 10mp and 12mp ones (I've tried them all)
- A crescent moon can illuminate the land while not obliterating the stars, for example in my second (out of focus) shot that shows the milky way reflection and landscape.
- Use the largest aperture available, set the shutter speed as fast or faster as 60s for a fisheye, 20s for a normal focal length lens. Set the ISO to match, but there is probably no benefit to shooting over 1600, you would gain less noise at that point by underexposing and brightening in post.
- Noise declines by roughly 1 stop for every 10 deg C (roughly 15-20 deg F) drop in temperature, so shoot when it's cold. At -40 even the olympus 10mp sensor should take nice 60s photos!

Sorry, but you'll have to open both pages in different browser tabs or windows and flip back and forth to see the difference, but I believe it's a bit warmer and the rays definitely stand out more now.

Dambusters fly past

Here are some shots from the recent commemorative Flypast over the Derwent Dams.
The Lancaster was pretty low but still twice the height of the actual raid flights and being shot at then too.
Not the best images I've seen but they definitely recorded a memorable day.

Around every picture there's a corner & round every corner there's a picture
- the fun's in finding them

OK so now I'm inspired to shoot some of the Victorian homes in the area, and go to the next airshow (maybe Watsonvillle or Salinas). Unfortunately, the fleet week airshow in SF has been cancelled (usually a Blue Angels venue). Maybe even the Monterey Grand Prix (motorcycle), in July, as well.